It's the second day of Christmas, and what did Barnum see, but two dancing daughters...
December 15, 1851
P.T. stifled a groan as he heard that song begin for the umpteenth time. Also with him in his office was Phillip, who burst out laughing at the older man's reaction. P.T. scowled.
"I don't even know what that song is! But she's been playing it nonstop and it's driving me insane. Where did she get that music box, anyway?"
"It's the 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'," Phillip replied, chuckling. "It's part of the Nutcracker Ballet. As to where she got the music box, though, I have no idea." Both men fell quiet when they heard the last bars of the song fade out. P.T. held his breath. Maybe…
"Ahhhh!" he groaned as the tinkly music started up again. He walked down the hall to the room where his girls were dancing, and smiled in spite of himself. Caroline was dancing before the mirror with the single-minded focus that had allowed her to quickly rise in the levels at her ballet school, while Helen was leaping around and spinning crazily with moves that only vaguely resembled ballet. Both girls stopped when their father entered the room.
"Looking good, girls!" he exclaimed, ruffling their hair. They smiled. "What are you practicing for, Caroline?"
"Auditions for The Nutcracker are in two days, Daddy. And I really want to be the Sugar Plum Fairy, so I've been practicing. Jenny's giving me advice." Caroline pointed, and P.T. started, not having realized that Jenny was in the room. He raised an eyebrow.
"Were you a dancer, Jenny?" The opera singer laughed.
"Not at all. But Caroline wanted someone to watch, and as she pointed out, I'm the only person here who has seen lots of ballets." P.T. nodded, and then pointed at the cursed devil box.
"Is that yours, then?" he asked.
"No," Caroline replied before Jenny could, "My teacher let me borrow it so I could practice." P.T. sighed internally. If he ever heard that song again it would be too soon, but he didn't want to stop Caroline's practice, either. Normally, Caroline would've been upset and distracted with Helen dancing in the room, but she was paying it no mind. This was clearly very important to her.
"I'm very proud of you, Caroline. I'm sure you'll get the part." Caroline beamed. Just as P.T. turned to leave the room, Helen piped up,
"Daddy, what are you going to do about the show?" He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"We're doing a Christmas show at school, and at ballet. You should do a Christmas-themed show!" Caroline paused in her dancing to chime in,
"Yeah, Daddy, you should! That would be so fun!" P.T. chuckled.
"I'll think about it." He walked down the hall, whistling to himself. P.T. blanched as he realized that the tune was 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'. He shook his head, laughing.
"Phillip!" he exclaimed, throwing the door open. The younger man jumped, startled, as he knocked a pile of paperwork off the desk.
"We're putting on a Christmas show!" Phillip rolled his eyes.
"Sure, why not? There's only ten days until Christmas, but that's plenty of time to choreograph an entirely new show," he exclaimed sarcastically. P.T. grinned.
"I'm so glad you agree!" P.T. got up and hurried out of the room. He had plans to make.
"Wait, no, P.T. -" Phillip stammered, "I was kidding - P.T.? Phineas?"
...and a beautiful Christmas tree!
Question of the Day: Have you seen The Nutcracker, and if so, what is your favorite part? My favorite part is sitting next to my sister, and poking her and saying, "Hear that good clarinet?" while listening to the orchestra. (Incidentally, I am not allowed to sit next to my sister at The Nutcracker anymore! XD )